Adult Ballerina Project is curious, what kind of dance do you do? What type of dance do you watch? What type of dance are you interested in?
November 4, 2013
New Stretch Videos via Claire Farmer
Claire Farmer, who recently wrote a guest post for ABP, is now offering stretch classes online for roughly $3 for 20 minutes.
Her first class is now available for £2, and is compatible with iOS on the go! The introduction video is available for free. She hopes to encourage people to stretch safely and effectively, instead of just stretching for just two minutes at the end of the workout.
She’s now teaching stretching classes to encourage setting aside 20-30 mins dedicated just to stretching. Each week will become progressively more advanced to allow you to reach your goals for improved flexibility. The first session is just 20 minutes, later session may go up to 30 minutes and cost £3.
You can find the videos here:
The videos will soon be available on her website, www.clairefarmer.co.uk, as well.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Please consult your doctor before participating in any physical activity/stretching. If you have been advised that you can stretch please go gently and stop if you feel any pain.
November 1, 2013
Beginner Ballerina Profile: Ida Cathrine Holme Nielson of Wardrobe Philosophy
Ida Cathrine Holme Nielsen runs her own blog on personal style and ballet, which goes surprisingly well together called Wardrobe Philosophy
. Make sure you check out her blog and her profile below!
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
I started taking classes at 23.
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
Yes, I was very serious about my ballet training until I was 18 and was injured with a stubborn case of tendonitis which forced me to take a five year long break from ballet.
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
I decided to go back to ballet because I realized that it is the perfect work out for me. It suits my body type and aesthetic taste and it even reflects my fashion taste quite well.
Where do you take classes?
In Copenhagen, Denmark.
What is your favorite part about ballet?
My favorite part about ballet is that it gives you a place in kind of an ‘elegant cult’, and you’ll feel absolutely great about yourself while dancing, it also really helps your posture and how you carry yourself. I am also totally up for the amazing leotard wardrobe , pointe shoes and accessories that goes with!
What is your least favorite part?
My least favorite part are the days when nothing seems to work and your balance is completely off no matter what you do.
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
My ballet inspirations are Evgenia Obraztsova and Marianela Nunez. They are about my height and does an amazing job with what they’ve got!
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I hate to say the perks of being in pointe shoes, but it is definitely a wonderful feeling!
Do you take any other dance classes?
Not currently, but I’m thinking of taking one or two contemporary classes a week next season.
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
I love film and I’m a huge collector of vintage and antique clothing!
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
Don’t give up! I know it seems like everyone is better than you and your body does not respond well in the beginning and you feel like the lowest of the low in class, but it will pass and the day you feel you are the one to watch in certain exercises is totally worth it!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Once you’ve started ballet it almost gets to be a lifestyle. It comes to influence so many aspects of your life in a good way!
October 30, 2013
November is National Novel Writing Month
But what does ballet have to do with National Novel Writing Month?
I’m not sure.
I’ve been a “writer” for a lot longer than I’ve been a ballerina. I always wrote stories as a little kid and decided to pick “journalist” as a career despite knowing that I’d have a tough time finding a job. I’ve wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo for years now, however, things such as high school and college have always gotten in the way. November was usually one of my toughest months–juggling finals, final projects, and usually a cold or three (including mono in high school and not one but two cases of strep-like symptoms last year). There just was never time to participate.
Now that I’m unfortunate (or fortunate in the case of NaNoWriMo) to no have a full-time job, I’ll be participating in NaNoWriMo–especially since I can’t run quite yet and my ballet practicing is limited. Don’t tell my PT I’ve been practicing balances en tournant constantly in my living room trying to get them right.
Maybe I’ll even write a ballet novel if enough people beg me too! Otherwise, I don’t have too many ideas just yet…even though NaNoWriMo starts in two days.
If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, let me know and we can be buddies! My profile name is Kristengilmore (I was a huge Gilmore Girls fan and I’ve had a profile for five years now).
What activities/hobbies do you to keep yourself occupied when you can’t dance or run?
October 28, 2013
Ballet Shoes and Arch Supports
Thank-you so much to everyone who commented on my post last week on FOMO with words of encouragement! I didn’t make it to ballet on Thursday (I was sore and feeling sick), but eventually made it on Saturday again. I changed my schedule with my PT this morning so that I’ll hopefully be able to go Monday and Friday and hopefully avoid being super sore again and be able to get back on track and not have to miss any ballet classes because everything hurts too much.
In other good news, I seem to finally have found arch supports for my sneakers/other shoes that finally seem to not slip around everywhere. I also wore elastic arch supports to ballet, and even though my arches were killing me (like they have been since my return to ballet) during the beginning of ballet, I feel like they’re helping me to overpronate less. If they seem to continue to help, I’m looking at a couple of additional options for ballet shoe support:
MDM Adult “Intrinsic” Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Slipper
These look like they have really good arch support and have great reviews, and they’re not too badly priced for an entire new set of slippers. Even though I just bought new shoes not too long ago, it wouldn’t be terrible if it helped save me some pain and bulk in my shoes from elastic arch supports
Dr. Roth Arch Band Supports
Although these are about the same price as the slippers, they’re tempting because they could be worn with my current pair of slippers and pointe shoes (if I even ever wear pointe shoes again). They could even be worn around the house, in sneakers and with other shoes.
Do you have any experience with arch supports in ballet or tried one of these? Any recommendations for slippers with good arch support?
